معرفی
Andrew Webster is a Professor and social scientist at the University of York, UK, affiliated with the Science and Technology Studies Unit (SATSU) and HeLEX: Centre for Health, Law and Emerging Technologies. He directed SATSU for 30 years and held leadership roles as Head of the Department of Sociology (2005-2009) and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (2009-2013). He co-chairs AsSIST-UK and serves as Co-Editor of Palgrave Macmillan's Health Technology and Society Series.
His research spans Science and Technology Studies with 15+ years focused on regenerative medicine and current gene therapy development. He pioneered the 'institutional readiness' model for clinical adoption of emerging technologies, now implemented by NHS Trusts for cell and gene therapies. His work examines sociotechnical dynamics in healthcare innovation, emphasizing organizational barriers and ethical frameworks for biomedical advancements.
Webster's scientific recognition includes:
- Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (2006)
He has directed national research programmes on biomedical technologies and currently holds ESRC and Leverhulme Trust funding for gene therapy studies. As Specialist Advisor to the UK parliamentary Health Select Committee, he shaped health technology policy. His editorial work advances scholarly discourse through Palgrave Macmillan's book series.
Webster collaborates within SATSU, HeLEX, and AsSIST-UK networks, driving interdisciplinary research on health law, emerging technologies, and innovation governance. His current projects explore gene therapy's translational pathways while anticipating ethical challenges in next-generation genomic medicine.
